The Challenge of Change

Insights from Jim Ewing

The ability to adapt to change is fundamental to the success of individuals and businesses in the modern world. This programme is about working with change as individuals, in our teams and in our organisations.

Many of our physical systems are designed to work against change. Much of this is managed in the body by the hypothalamus. The main function of the hypothalamus is homeostasis, or maintaining the body's status quo. Factors such as blood pressure, body temperature, fluid and electrolyte balance, and body weight are held to a precise value called the set point. Although this set point can migrate over time, from day to day it is remarkably fixed. To achieve this task, the hypothalamus must receive inputs about the state of the body, and must be able to initiate compensatory changes if anything shifts off balance. However, for survival the rate of change of an organism must equal or exceed the rate of change of the environment in which it exists.

A reaction to change, be it physical or psychological, is perfectly normal. We all react to change, we have a range of reactions, and we are all different. Some like change; they thrive on new ideas and challenges. Others don't like change; those people thrive on stability and familiarity. As Jim Ewing says, some of us like the curves whilst others like the straights. Against this context we will look at a map and methodology to explain our reactions to change in a way that allows us to anticipate and to take account of it in our work. Managing change effectively allows us to enrol others effectively and minimise wasted time and effort in moving forward.

Read on to learn how to understand the forces of change, and to utilise all reactions in a positive way in Meetings, Communication, Leadership, Coaching and during Change itself.